'Harry Potter's' David Yates to Direct FX Drama Pilot 'Tyrant'

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Yates steps in for Ang Lee, who recently departed the high-profile Fox 21 project about an unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle East nation.

Tyrant has found a new helmer.

Harry Potter’s David Yates has stepped in to direct the pilot for the high-profile FX drama from Homeland's Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff and Six Feet Under's Craig Wright. The project, which FX snapped up in a competitive situation, revolves around an unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle East nation. Morocco is among the potential pilot locales that has been discussed.

The news comes nearly a month after Oscar winner Ang Lee pulled out of the Fox 21 project, citing exhaustion. "It is one of the most brilliant ideas for a series that I’ve seen and one about which I was very excited. However, after spending over four years making and promoting Life of Pi, I have recently realized that I need some rest," he said in a statement at the time.

Yates was nominated for an Emmy for directing HBO's 2005 telepic, The Girl in the Cafe. Prior to that, much of his small screen work was done in the U.K. On the feature side, Yates directed four of the Harry Potter films, including the franchise's two-part conclusion.